Burton



BEST AVNLABLE COP 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 11, 1958 INVENTOR, MARK v Bu RTON 4 O 5 3 8 3 4 3 3 5 3 5 ll 4 k 2 3 0 T 2 m 5 v 3 5 4 u 9 w 4 ATTORNLK M. BURTON RESETTING MEANS FOR PARKING METERS Feb. 13, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 11, 1950 FIG.

INYENTOR MARK BURTON By 036? ATTORNEY Reiuued Feb. 13, 1951 RESETTING MEANS FOR PARKING METERS Mark Burton, Perryton, Tex., assignor of one-half to Adlai S. Brillhart, Perryton, Tex.

Original No. 2,519,634, dated August 22, 1950, Se-

rial No. 161,397, May 11, 1950. Application for reissue November 10, 1950, Serial No. 195,081

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets I: appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed initrlics indicates the additions made. by reissue 11 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in parking meters.

' An important object of the invention is to provide means to automatically reset the indicator to the zero or starting position, when the parked vehicle leaves the space protected by the meter, in the event that the entire parking period has not been consumed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle actuated device of the above mentioned character which may be applied to the conventional parking meter now in use, without materially altering the construction of the same.

: A further object of the invention is to provide resetting means which will shift the indicator slowly to avoid injury to the mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

1 In theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout same:

- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a parking meter embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 6,

- Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3--3 of Figure 6,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3,

. Flgure5 is a plan view of a modified form of wheel-engaging compression element, and,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of, the resetting mechanism, parts in section.

In the drawings, the numeral [0 designates a vertical casing of the parking meter, and the back plate ll may be removable. -The meter casing I0 is mounted upon a tubular post I2, secured to a base l3, mounted upon the curb l4. 1 The operating mechanism of the meter comprises a large gear I5, rigidly mounted upon a horizontal shaft Hi, mounted in suitable bearings carriedby the casing, and extending outwardly beyond the casing front H. An indicator or pointer I8 is secured to the gear [5, Figure 6, and travels in proximity to a stationary dial I 9, which is graduated in units of time, ordinarily from zero to sixty minutes. The dial l9 isheld stationary within the casing l0 and is visible through an opening in the front.

4 The numeral 2|! designates a coin controlled disc; 1mounted upcn the shafts and spaced airially, from the gear l5, and connected. with the gear'to turn therewith by pins fllflcirrying spac ers 22. The disc 20 is equipped with the usual teeth for coaction with the coin control element or elements. When the pointer I8 is in the starting or zero position, disc 20 is locked against turning movement, and upon the insertion of a proper coin, disc 20 is released and the pointer l8 manually turned clockwise, Figure 6, to bring it to the sixty minute position. This may be effected by turning a handle 23 manually, and this handle is arranged exteriorly of the casing front I! and is secured to the shaft I6, to turn it. When the indicator i8 is at the sixty minute position, clock works acts upon the gear I5 to turn it counter-clockwise, Figure 6, so that the indicator i 8 is returned to the zero or starting position. In order that this may be accomplished, a small gear 24 engages the large gear 15 and is mounted upon a horizontal shaft 25, journaled in suitable bearings carried by the casing i0, and held against longitudinal movement upon the shaft 25. A companion gear 26 is slidable upon the shaft 25 to turn and move longitudinally with relation thereto, and a friction clutch element 21 is arranged between the adjacent ends of the gears 24 and 2B. A coil spring 28 shifts the gear 26 toward the gear 24. The gear 24 drives the gear l5, and gears 24 and 25 turn as a unit to move the indicator l8 toward the zero position, when the gear 26 is driven by the clock works. The clock works may include a train of gears including gear 29, a spring motor and escapement mechanism. when the indicator I8 is to be shifted from the zero position to the sixty minute position, the handle 23 and shaft [6 is turned clockwise, Figure 6, and slippage will occur between.;the gears 24 and 26, the gear 24 turning with respect to the gear 25, which is held against any considerable turning movement by the clock works. When the indicator I8 is shifted by my resetting device from the sixty minute position to the zero position, slippage also occurs at the friction clutch element 21, between the gears 24 and 26.

- I have not described nor shown the coin control mechanism nor the clock works in detail, as it is unnecessary for a proper understanding of the present invention. The parking meter thus far described is substantially conventional. Iprovide means actuated by the wheel of the automobile to turn the gear l5 and reset the indicator l8 to the zero position when moved there- 3 cured to one of the pins 2|, and engaging over the other pins 2|. This flexible element extends downwardly and is attached to a vertical reciprocatory rod v.3I,,.operating through anopening in a head 32,, carried byzawertical icyllinder 33, included in a dash-pot. A plunger 34 is secured to the lower end of the rod 3|, and has a large opening 35 extending through opposite ends thereof. This large opening is covered and .uncovereilliy a flap valve 35, arranged beneath theplunger 34 and pivoted thereto at 31. This 'flap valveseats upwardly and has a restricted opening 38. 'The cylinder 33 is filled with a fluid, suchas'oil. "When the plunger 34 moves upwardly, iiap :valve '35 opens and the liquid may pass freely through-the large opening 35. When the plunger .34 moves.

4 is permitted and will be at right angles to the curb I4. The hose 58, pipe 5! and chamber 45 are filled with a fluid, such as air, or they may be downwardly, flap valve 36 covers large opening and the liquid must thenpass through theire 'stricted opening .38 which will :cause the plunger 34 to travel downwardlyslowly. The cylinder 33 is held stationary by any suitable means and may he secured to the bracket 39, attached to the casing H1. The cylin'der is-arrangedwithin' the casing III, as shown.

' Therod 3 I is moved 'downwardly when released by a retractile coil :spring 40, i the upper :end i of which i is secured 'to an arm 61 rigidly mounted upon the rod 3! and its lower end secured a lug 42 ,iattachedto the lower end of 'a cylinder 33.

' The :numeral 4 3 designatesza stationaryreasing of a fluid pressure operated element, inclu dinga, flexible :or "resilient diaphragm 44, forming :a chamber AS :behind it. This diaphragm is conn'ec'ted iwith a .reciprocatoryzplunger 4-6 engaging the lower end ofithe' vertical arm 24"! of a beilnrankiiever 48,:ha-ving afhorizontalzarmilfl. The verti'cal?arm'=isipivotedratfiflfto swing in avertical plane: upon'a support 5| which 'may :betmounted liponithe casing .43. The tresilientfdiaphragm 44 .Will bias :the plunger 145 to the 'zleft 4 or iinwardly, and Pthe "bell-crank ilever '4B1is*biased clockwise, Figmefigbyaspringiifl.

LFormed i.integral with the :horizontal narm 4.3 ism loopriifigin'cluding a curve'd en'd 154,:and sides figwhichidiverge toward'the *curved'end 54. The loop :53 iis :inciined upwardly atoward :the .:large or curved end .54. iAstopz'elemen-t or ball= 55 :is .rigidlyfmounted upontheirod 3 l sand iszadapted tolbe: arranged above .the loop 153,1: engage with the diverging sides :55, and hence .held zagainst downward movemenirthrough theTloop-iii. When the? loop 3 1 is swungpountersciockwiseii iguresfi, 4 rand '6; the large :or curved :end' .154 :is :shifted toward the :ball '56 and 1the ball will disengage iliver'g'ingrsides 55fandrpass'through theiloopi so that thespring w "may shift the rodxdownwarfi'ly. when the ball 55 is held "above 'the inclined diverging 'sides,' thedownward pull i upon thevmd 3| tends to swing the "bell-crank lever 4 8 clock- T'igure '6, more securelylocking the i'ball to the sides 55. "When the ballifi is beneath the inclined diverging sides 55, the upwar'd movement or the ball '55 will swing the bell-crank lever counter-clockwise, and hence the diverging sides -55=will" move from theball"56 and theball may pass through the loop to assume a position above'theloop. This occurs whenthe haniile 23 is"turned-'clo'ckwise to'shi'ft'the indicator IB to the 'sir'ty minute position.

Ieadin'ginto the chamber '45 is a copper'pipe 51, which mayextenddown through thetubular post 12, and be ,connected with a compressible element 58,'wh1chmay;ibe:asectionoirubberhose filled .withaliquid, such as oil. .Itvis thus seen that whenithe automdblleuwheel runs over the hose 58 it will be compressed and the air or fluid .iorced up into the chamber 45, to move the diaphram 48 to the right, Figure 6. When .diagonalaparking.ispermitted, the L-shaped hose 59, Figure 5 will be.used.

.The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

With the parts arranged as indicated in Eigure=6,.thelindicator l8 has been shifted to the sixtym'inute position and the car parked in the parking'space. The clock works is now turning the gear 15 counter-clockwise, Figure 6, while the rod 3! is held raised. Slack will now occur 'ainrthe flexible element m. assuming the :automobile is driven i'from dvhe parking :spaze when the indicator l8 reaches the thirty-five minute position, as an illustration, then the wheel oY' the automobile will 1 compress the hose' l Bland the compressed air or fluid will be forced irito the chaniber fi, and the bellcrank' lever Ma -will be -=swung counter-cloc kwise. Ball '55 :can :now pass downwardly through'the loop and the-spring 54-will move the plunger 34 downwardlysbut this movement will be slow "due to the-action o1 the dash-pot. The downward:movement of the rod 3| =will first take-up the 'sla'clz in :the flexible element 30 and Fthen :pull the"fiexible:element turn the wheel 1'5 "and indicator 1I8 :counter clockwise, Figure 6, .to ;bringsthei indicator to the zero position. This counter-(clockwise tui'ning movement is rendered :posSible my the ifriction clutch connection :between the gears 124 and 28,

and the spring llo'zisfisufficiently.:strong"to out departing from the spirit oimyzimzentionor the: scope of 313116 subjdined uclaims.

Having thus described my inventinnfl :ciaim:

1. The (combination with the "turning *eiement of a parking meter, 'ot 'a' pull-ng el'ement eon-i nected 'with the turning element, a 5 spring --;connected with the pulling e'lement to mov'efit one 'directionga stop secured tothpiilling elemerit, a 1 pivoted controlrmeniber ltd-engage the'stop-and shiftablewvith relation to "thestop to'let the stop-pass, and-pressureoperated means" to actuate' thepivoted control member inc'zl-u'dirig" a -compressible element to be engaged by the wheeler the-vehicle.

T 2. 1112. parking meter, "a pivoted" member, indicator operated by the-'pivotedrmembergmeaps connected'"with-the-pivoted member to moyeri it in one direction, means connected ;withf:the pivoted member to moveit in an-opposite dined-j tion including "a friction clutch, a pull element connected with :the pivoted ;memb.er to inove it inthe said opposite direction, a spring to, move thapull clementi'n one .iiirection,..aflatch device for holding "the 1 null .element against br. the ns and measure .gineratefl are re i/11.11

be compressed by the wheel of an automobile.

3. In a parking meter, a pivoted member, an indicator operated by the pivoted member, means connected with the pivoted member to move it in one direction, means connected with the pivoted member to move it in an opposite direction including a releasable device, a pull element connected with the pivoted member to move it in the said opposite direction, a spring to move the pull element in one direction, a dashpot connected with the pull element to cause the same to move slowly in response to the action of the spring, a latch device for holding the pull element against movement by the spring, and pressure operated means to actuate the latch device to release the pull element including an element to be compressed by the wheel of an automobile.

4. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, said device including a reciprocatory rod, means to guide the rod in its movement and connect it with the movable element, a stop mounted upon the rod, a movable element supported near the rod and including diverging arms to engage the stop and which are vertically inclined, and pressure operated means to move the second-named movable element including a compressible element to be actuated by the Wheel of the automobile.

5. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, said device comprising a reciprocatory rod, means to guide the rod in its movement, means connecting the rod and movable element, a ball mounted upon the rod, a spring connected with the rod to move it in one direction, a pivoted lever arranged near the rod and including a loop, said loop including diverging arms for coaction with the ball, said arms being inclined, and pressure operated means to move the lever.

6. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, comprising a substantially vertically reciprocatory rod, guide means for the rod, a flexible element connecting the rod and movable element, a spring connected with the rod to move it downwardly, a stop mounted upon the rod, a vertically swinging bell-crank lever arranged near the rod and having a substantially horizontal arm, an inclined loop carried by the arm and including diverging sides for coaction with the stop, and pressure operated means to operate the bell-crank lever.

7. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, said device comprising a substantially vertical cylinder, a plunger to reciprocate within the cylinder and having a large opening, a flap valve carried by the plunger to cover the large opening and having a restricted opening to communicate with the large opening, a substantially vertical rod extending above the cylinder and connected with the plunger, a spring connected With the rod and the cylinder to move the rod downwardly, a ball mounted upon the rod, a flexible element connecting the rod and movable element, a pivoted bell-crank lever arranged near the rod and including a generally horizontal arm, a loop receiving the rod and including diverging sides to coact with the ball and being vertically inclined, and pressure operated means to move the bell-crank lever.

8. In a parking meter, a movable operating member, an indicator shifted by the operating member, means connected with the operating member to move it in one direction, means connected with the operating member to move it in an opposite direction including a friction clutch, a pull clement connected with the operating member to move it in said opposite direction, pull means connected with the pull element to move it in one direction, a releasable latch device for holding the pull clement against movement by the pull means when the latch device is active, and means to operate the latch device to render the same inactive and release the pull element.

9. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, said device comprising a pull element having a stop member, pull means connected with the pull element to move it in one direction, a pivoted lever arranged near-the pull element and provided with inclined diverging arms for coaction with the stop member, vehicle actuated means to move the lever, and means to move the movable element of the meter in an opposite direction to the movement caused by the pull element.

10. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, said device comprising a reciprocatory rod, means to guide the rod in its movement, means connecting the rod and movable element, a ball mounted upon the rod, a spring connected with the rod to move it in one direction, a pivoted lever arranged near the rod and including a loop, said loop including diverging arms for coaction with the ball, said arms being inclined, and vehicle actuated means to move the lever.

11. A device for resetting the movable element of a parking meter, said device comprising gear means operated by clock works to move the movable element in one direction, a pull element connected with the movable element to move th same in the same direction as caused by the gear means, pull means to move the pull element in one direction, a latch device separate from the gear means and free from engagement with the gear means and when active serving to hold the pull element against movement by the pull means, means to move the pull element in an opposite direction to that caused by the pull means, and vehicle actuated means engaging the latch device to render the same inactive.

MARK BURTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,096,155 Breeden Oct. 19, 1937 2,229,183 Mitchell Jan. 21, 1941 2,264,479 Munson Dec. 2, 1941 

